Parisa Afsharian ’19: “I like to say I don’t just do it for me. I do it for other people,” says September artist of the month Helena Bryant 17’. Bryant, who is instrumental to EA’s vocal and theater programs, has always wanted to inspire others just as she was inspired at a young age. “Getting to see a person’s reaction is really cool, especially the younger kids. I remember seeing the older kids and saying, “‘Oh I want to do that when I’m older.’”
Bryant credits much of her success to her mother and older sister, explaining, “I grew up watching my mom and my older sister [perform]. I thought I should try it.”
Bryant’s acting career began in lower school and later progressed through a variety of summer acting camps. She says, “I did choir in Lower school because it was a requirement, but I loved it.” Bryant has continued choir through Middle and Upper school, and has participated in every theatrical production available. She was also a former member of the orchestra.
Over the last four years, Bryant has compiled a list of achievements. She is currently a member of the Domino Board and serves as choir president. Furthermore, she earned the female lead in last year’s spring musical, Hairspray, and has obtained the lead role of Molly in this year’s fall play, Peter and the Starcatcher.
Fellow actress and Domino Board member Kelly Flynn ‘17 comments, “I’ve been working with Helena since sixth grade. Watching her move up through the ranks, she’s become a really strong singer, soloist, and she’s really grown as an actor discovering herself.” Flynn continues, “When we are working during hard scenes or late during the production week, she’s always really positive and super hard working. She’s super easy to connect with on stage, and she’s extremely dedicated.”
Working in an ensemble is one of Bryant’s favorite aspects about the arts at EA. Bryant says, “Although it’s a smaller program, there’s a core group who are all nice, welcoming, and supportive. We are all so talented, which is what makes it so entertaining.”
Again, Flynn mentions, “She is always focused on not only helping herself and becoming a better actress, but helping the group. She does what’s best for the group which is important when working in vocal ensemble or Domino Board.”
Dan Clay, Chair of the theater department, describes Bryant as “willing to learn and make mistakes without bringing a lot of ego into it.” He explains, “She comes to the play understanding she has to learn and listens to her fellow actors and directors. She always has a positive attitude and gets everyone riled up. She never complains and always works hard. She sets an example for the underclassmen.”
Mackenzie Lee ‘19, who worked closely with Helena in last year’s musical, describes Bryant’s impact, saying, “She really gave a great example of how to behave and she was really fun to work with. As a rising freshman she made me feel welcome, and that added to my first experience in a show at EA.” Lee also worked with Bryant in a summer program, Upper Darby Summer Stage, that Bryant has attended for the past few years. Here, Bryant portrayed Kim in Bye Bye Birdie.
Clay attributes much of Bryant’s theatrical success to her mindset, explaining, “Besides her talent, she is a team player. It is first and foremost about the play itself, not her role in the play.”
Helena’s singing and acting careers are far from over as she plans to major in theater in college next year.